Girls4Green Empowers Moldovan Girls to Lead in Climate Action and Green Careers

Developed in partnership with EcoVisio and EcoVillage Moldova, the programme used interactive and experiential learning to build confidence and expand the participants’ vision of what is possible.

As Moldova accelerates its shift toward an environmentally sustainable economy, a growing focus is being placed on ensuring that girls and young women are equipped to participate in — and lead — the country’s green transition. Under the International Labour Organization’s project “Skills for an Environmentally Sustainable Transition in Moldova,” the Girls4Green initiative is helping to cultivate the next generation of female climate leaders.

The project is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Liechtenstein Development Service (LED).

At the heart of the initiative is the Girls4Green Boot Camp, where 31 girls aged 13 to 17 from diverse regions—including rural and vulnerable communities—came together to deepen their understanding of climate change, sustainability, and emerging career paths in the green economy. For many, the boot camp shaped their aspirations in fields such as renewable energy, sustainable construction, circular economy innovation, and environmental protection.

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Hands-On Learning and Real-World Role Models

Developed in partnership with EcoVisio and EcoVillage Moldova, the programme used interactive and experiential learning to build confidence and expand the participants’ vision of what is possible.

Highlights included:

• The “Keep Cool” climate simulation, introducing climate policy decision-making

• Workshops on green technologies and sustainable living

• Conversations with female engineers, architects, innovators, and green entrepreneurs

• Team-building activities designed to strengthen leadership and problem-solving skills

The impact was immediate and profound. Many participants described the experience as “lifechanging”, noting that it helped them better understand climate challenges and see themselves as future professionals in green fields.

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Girls Finding Their Voice in the Green Transition

Across testimonials, girls shared how the boot camp reshaped their confidence and career ambitions:

• “We learned, felt inspired, and saw that protecting the planet can be a career.”

• “This camp was a 10+ experience.”

• “Although the camp has ended, it feels like a new beginning. I now know that girls can build a greener Moldova.”

By connecting them with women currently working in green jobs, the initiative helped break stereotypes and encouraged the participants to see themselves as future leaders.

“When girls see women leading in green jobs, it reshapes what they believe is possible,” said Vera Chilari, ILO Project Coordinator. “Girls4Green shows that empowering young women is key to a just and inclusive green transition.”

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Toward a More Inclusive Green Economy

Building on the success of the first boot camp, the ILO and its partners plan to scale up the initiative through:

• Longer training programmes

• Study visits to vocational schools

• Exposure to green technologies and eco-innovation labs

• Outreach to more communities to widen participation

The goal is to ensure that Moldova’s transition to a green economy is inclusive, offering opportunities for women and girls to contribute to — and benefit from — new sectors and sustainable industries.

Girls4Green is not only opening doors for young women; it is helping shape a generation capable of driving Moldova’s environmental transformation.